ARIMIDEX® (Anastrozole)

Arimidex is a very new drug produced by Zenica Pharmaceuticals for the treatment of advanced breast cancer. Arimidex, or anastrozole was approved for use in the United States at the end of December 1995. Anastrozole acts by blocking the enzyme aromatase, subsequently blocking the production of estrogen. Breast cancer cells are stimulated by estrogen and Arimidex is used to halt the progression of the disease. Arimidex is similar to Nolvadex (tamoxifen citrate), except it blocks the action and not the final production of estrogen. The effects are very effective with a dose of just 1 mg (one tablet) producing estrogen suppression greater than 80 percent in treated patients. Clinically Arimidex is used for post-menopausal woman whose disease has continued to advance following treatment with Nolvadex.

THE EFFECTS

Arimidex shows great potential for athletes using anabolic steroids because of the great effect on hormone levels. Arimidex has shown to be much more efficient than other estrogen blockers, such as Nolvadex and proviron. And its use is now starting to catch on with the same clinical dosing of a single daily tablet. Some report exceptional results with only half a tablet.

THE SIDE-EFFECTS

There are some concerns with prolonged use during long steroid cycles. While Arimidex does block negative effects of estrogen, it also blocks the positive effects, such as the effects on cholesterol levels. Studies show that when an aromatase inhibitor is used in conjunction with a steroid like testosterone, HDL (good) cholesterol levels begin to fall. Apparently estrogen helps in preventing some of the negative effects with steroid use. Blood tests or less preferably salivary tests, can be taken after the first week of use to determine if the correct dose is taken.

Another concern is simply the price. Tablets can sell for $10 dollars each, which can become very costly. Clearly the price of this ancillary drug can be much greater than the steroids themselves. For this reason competitors and not recreational users most often use Arimidex. However, recently liquid Arimidex products were formulated for “research purposes” and are now circulating the black market. They contain a high concentration of anastrozole (1 mg to 4 mg per ml) in a liquid solution to be used orally. Liquid versions of Arimidex sell at about $5 dollars per milligram or less.

Common side effects include: shortness of breath, dizziness, diarrhea, vomiting, headache, hat flashes, weakness, cough, dry mouth, skin rash, sweating, abdominal pain and bone pain. Some less common symptoms are vaginal bleeding, weight gain, tiredness, chills, fever, breast pain, and itching. It is recommended to contact your poison control center in the occurrence of an overdose. Hypersensitivity to anastrozole is a reason not to use this drug.

You should not take Arimidex if you are pregnant because it can cause fetal harm.

RECOMMENDED USE

Bodybuilders use around .5 mg to 1 mg per day and having good success with Arimidex. When used with strong aromatizing androgens, like Dianabol and testosterone, gynecomastia and water retention can be effectively blocked. When a cycle consists of testosterone, methyltestosterone and/or Halotestin, one could combine it with Propecia to block 5-alpha reduction to make a very tolerable stack. With Propecia incredible quality muscular gains can be made with little side effects.